A push toward fitness

May 22, 2008

As a new mom, Jessica Browning found herself with some weight to lose. About 100 pounds to be exact. She started counting calories and paying attention to food labels. But that wasnÂ?t enough. She also wanted to set a good example for her new son, Brendyn. Â?I really want him to enjoy being active.Â?

So, Jessica joined StrollerFit in August of 2007.

Started by owner, Teran Trauernicht, a couple of years ago, StrollerFit is part of a nationwide franchise that caters to moms and their babies. As the name implies, moms bring their babies and todllers to class with them and use the strollers and their occupants as part of the exercise routine.

The first thing youÂ?ll notice when you attend a StrollerFit class is how happy and engaged the babies are.

Twelve-month-old Elizabeth McKay gazes excitedly around the room as the music came on and the moms started moving. Her mother, Sarah McKay, loves StrollerFit and now feels a lot more confident. Â?Knowing that IÂ?m not the only mother in the worldÂ? that wants to get more fit and lose a bit of baby weight helps.

As the class continues, it becomes apparent that while the moms focus on exercise, they are also very engaged with their children. Rather than loud rock music, Teran plays nursery rhymes and the moms sing patty cake to their infants.

As the moms start breathing a bit heavier and the cardio portion of the workout picks up a bit, the babies are just getting started. Tiny feet bounce to the music and giggles erupt from all ten strollers as the mothers tickle them while they jog around the strollers. Other moms and babies play hide-and-seek as they power walk their strollers all around the room.

And while the babies are having the time of their lives, their mothers are getting a great workout.

Just ask Jessica and her son, Brendyn. Not only is she providing the good example that she was striving for, but she has also lost 87 pounds in the last 8 months while taking StrollerFit classes.